Palace condemns killing of La Union vice mayor

Malacañang on Wednesday condemned the ambush that killed the vice mayor of Balaoan town in La Union and wounded the municipal mayor.

Police said Vice Mayor Alfred Concepcion died from the attack by unidentified gunmen while on his way to attend the municipal council’s session on Wednesday morning.

His aide, Michael Ulep, was also killed in the ambush but the vice mayor’s daughter, Mayor Aleli Concepcion, who was in another vehicle, survived.

“The Palace strongly denounces the recent ambush against [Balaoan, La Union Mayor Aleli Concepcion and her father, Vice Mayor Alfred Concepcion],” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

“We also express our heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and friends of the late Vice Mayor Alfred Concepcion and his aide, Mr. Michael Ulep. We likewise pray for the speedy recovery of Mayor Aleli Concepcion and the victims who were critically wounded during this atrocity,” he added.

Panelo said the Philippine National Police has been directed to investigate the incident.

“We [will] pursue and prosecute the persons behind these brazen murders and bring them to justice,” he said.

Prior to Alfred Concepcion’s death, at least 11 mayors and six vice mayors have been killed since President Rodrigo Duterte took office in June 2016. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News